(a) the amount allocated to Auroville Foundation in the Budget 2020-21 and 2021-22 (b) the reasons for the reduction in the allocation; (c) whether the Government has any plan to strengthen the Auroville Foundation and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the reason for the delay in appointing a Chairman to the Auroville Foundation?
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b): The amount allocated to Auroville Foundation as the Budget Estimate (BE) for FY 2020-21 was Rs. 18.20 Cr and as the Budget Estimate (BE) for FY 2021-22 is Rs. 18.20 Cr. As informed by the Auroville Foundation, the pandemic has halted most of the projects, so there was no expenditure in the Capital Head OH-35 & less expenditure in the General Head OH-31. As a result, the Revised Estimate (RE) was Rs. 4.58 Cr in the FY 2020-21.
(c): For the development of Auroville Foundation, this Ministry provides guidance, advice & financial support in terms of grants to meet the recurring & non-recurring liabilities. The financial support from the Ministry along with the income generated by Auroville Foundation is used for meeting the objectives of strengthening the Auroville Foundation.
(d): The Government has recently made appointment of full-time Secretary of the Auroville Foundation. The selection of the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation is in process.
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